Follow UsA year ago, Sophie Dunkley was at the crossroads of her international career.
Everyone knew of her talent, but ‘runs’ are the currency, and what matters at the end of the day. Dunkley knew all of that, as she could only score 43 runs across six appearances in 2023 and 2024, and was all but pushed away from the England setup.
But then came 2025, and within seven months, her fortunes turned to an all-time high.
Coming into the clash against India, on July 16 (Wednesday), Dunkley had scores of 9, 31 and 26. But then against India, she converted a start into a telling innings, smashing a 92-ball 83, with nine boundaries.
It was the right-hander’s second-best personal score, after her 107 against South Africa women in Bristol back in 2022. But this innings was quite special, considering that England were in a bit of trouble when she walked out to bat.
At 91/3, which became 97/4 soon, Dunkley had to construct an important partnership with Davidson Richards, as there were only Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean after that. So, her staying at the crease was quintessential for the English side, sans Heather Knight.
While Davidson Richards played the attritional role, Dunkley, the more aggressive batter, showed her range against the Indian bowlers. Till the first 27 balls, Dunkley rarely played an aggressive shot, but once Pratika Rawal was into the attack, she smashed her first four.
From thereon, she found her gear and found the gaps with more consistency, getting boundaries against both Kranti Goud and Shree Charani. Once the innings got to the last five-over phase, she was at her T20-esque best, smashing boundaries for fun, as she smashed 83 off 92 balls.
It might not look the prettiest of knocks, because triple figures are often the standard, but Dunkley’s 83 is as good as a century given England’s circumstances.
107 vs South Africa women, Bristol, 2022
83 vs India women, Southampton, 2025
73* vs India women, Taunton, 2021
67 vs Bangladesh women, Wellington, 2022
60 vs South Africa women, Christchurch, 2022